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balanced

   Also found in: Medical, Legal, Idioms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.03 sec.
bal·ance  (blns)
n.
1. A weighing device, especially one consisting of a rigid beam horizontally suspended by a low-friction support at its center, with identical weighing pans hung at either end, one of which holds an unknown weight while the effective weight in the other is increased by known amounts until the beam is level and motionless.
2. A state of equilibrium or parity characterized by cancellation of all forces by equal opposing forces.
3. The power or means to decide.
4.
a. A state of bodily equilibrium: thrown off balance by a gust of wind.
b. The ability to maintain bodily equilibrium: Gymnasts must have good balance.
5. A stable mental or psychological state; emotional stability.
6. A harmonious or satisfying arrangement or proportion of parts or elements, as in a design. See Synonyms at proportion.
7. An influence or force tending to produce equilibrium; counterpoise.
8. The difference in magnitude between opposing forces or influences.
9. Accounting
a. Equality of totals in the debit and credit sides of an account.
b. The difference between such totals, either on the credit or the debit side.
10. Something that is left over; a remainder.
11. Chemistry Equality of mass and net electric charge of reacting species on each side of an equation.
12. Mathematics Equality with respect to the net number of reduced symbolic quantities on each side of an equation.
13. A balance wheel.
v. bal·anced, bal·anc·ing, bal·anc·es
v.tr.
1. To determine the weight of (something) in or as if in a weighing device.
2. To compare by or as if by turning over in the mind: balanced the pros and cons before making a choice.
3. To bring into or maintain in a state of equilibrium.
4. To act as an equalizing weight or force to; counterbalance.
5. Accounting
a. To compute the difference between the debits and credits of (an account).
b. To reconcile or equalize the sums of the debits and credits of (an account).
c. To settle (an account, for example) by paying what is owed.
6. To bring into or keep in equal or satisfying proportion or harmony.
7. Mathematics To bring (an equation) into balance.
8. Chemistry To bring (an equation) into balance.
9. To move toward and then away from (a dance partner).
v.intr.
1. To be in or come into equilibrium.
2. To be equal or equivalent.
3. To sway or waver as if losing or regaining equilibrium.
4. To move toward and then away from a dance partner.
Idioms:
in the balance
In an undetermined and often critical position: Our plans were left hanging in the balance. Resolution of that item is still in the balance.
on balance
Taking everything into consideration; all in all.

[Middle English balaunce, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin *bilancia, having two scale pans, from Latin bilnx : bi-, two; see dwo- in Indo-European roots + lnx, scale.]

balance·a·ble adj.
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Adj.1.balanced - being in a state of proper equilibrium; "the carefully balanced seesaw"; "a properly balanced symphony orchestra"; "a balanced assessment of intellectual and cultural history"; "a balanced blend of whiskeys"; "the educated man shows a balanced development of all his powers"
imbalanced, unbalanced - being or thrown out of equilibrium
Translations
Spanish balanced [ˈbælənst] adj [personality, diet] → equilibrado
French balanced [ˈbælənst] balance adj [personality, diet] → équilibré(e); [report] → objectif/ive
German balanced [ˈbælənst] adjausgeglichen;
(report) → ausgewogen

Italian balanced [ˈbælənst] adj [personality, diet] → equilibrato/a

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The tall masts are the pillars supporting the balanced planes that, motionless and silent, catch from the air the ship's motive-power, as it were a gift from Heaven vouchsafed to the audacity of man; and it is the ship's tall spars, stripped and shorn of their white glory, that incline themselves before the anger of the clouded heaven.
Racing planes and digs alike have suffered severely--the former from 'unequal deposits of half-frozen slush on their vans (and only those who have "held up" a badly balanced plane in a cross-wind know what that means), and the latter from loaded bows and snow-cased bodies.
Then holding the lance full before his waistband's middle, he levels it at the whale; when, covering him with it, he steadily depresses the butt-end in his hand, thereby elevating the point till the weapon stands fairly balanced upon his palm, fifteen feet in the air.
 
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